Celebrity Memories of Coney Island

Not everyone was so lucky as to grow up in Brooklyn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t live vicariously through those who did! We’ve told you what celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond said about their childhoods in the borough. But can you imagine what it would be like to grow up, or play in, Coney Island as a child? Here are 7 celebrity quotes on what it was like being a Coney kid.

Yes, I was born in Coney Island. The Holy Land. – Arlo Guthrie

Arlo Guthrie was born in Coney Island to his famous father Woody Guthrie, who spent his last years in Coney Island.

Coney Island was the centre of the world for me. I loved the rides, the hot dogs – I’ve never gotten over it. – Harold Feinstein

Harold Feinstein was a twentieth century American photographer well-known for his incredible photos documenting Coney Island amongst other things.

Photo Harold Feinstein

My family originally lived in Brooklyn. Our first apartment was a little place above my father and uncle’s hardware store in Coney Island. Now, don’t get the impression that we were surrounded by merry-go-rounds, roller coasters and Ferris wheels. Nope, this was a little side street. – Gilbert Gottfried

The comedian was born in Coney Island and also lived in Crown Heights and Borough Park.

I’d go to Coney Island to hang out, and I saw a magician doing a rope trick on the boardwalk. I was fascinated. I guess that’s how it started. – David Blaine

David Blaine fell in love with magic in Brooklyn.

I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey High School in Coney Island, I am public-school educated. – Spike Lee

His mother gave him the nickname “Spike” during his childhood in Brooklyn.

When I grew up, we went to Coney Island and Central Park. We’d find our way to the water and watch the fireworks. – Jimmy Smits

Actor Jimmy Smits was born and raised in Brooklyn and the actual name on his birth certificate is “Jimmy”. It’s not short for John or Jim.

I came from a poor family in Coney Island. I learned to write by reading the ‘Post.’ This was my education. – Jerry Della Femina

Jerry Della Femina was an advertising executive known as the”‘Madman’ of Madison Avenue” and was the inspiration behind the TV Show “Mad Men”.

Don’t be bummed if you didn’t get to experience Coney Island as a kid. Come on our Pizza Tour and experience the magic of Coney Island with us. We promise to make you feel like a kid again.

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Love pizza and fun stories? Well this is the tour for you. I had so much fun on the pizza tour. Paula is a fantastic tour guide, she is full of great stories, not only about the neighbourhood, but has loads of anecdotes about movies too. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this tour, not only for the pizza, which by the way was delicious, but just to spend a few hours with someone that obviously loves Brooklyn.